Combination storage and carrying device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a combination storage and carrying device for holding and transporting a plurality of items, such as stacked firewood, wherein the device includes a support assembly and a pair of handles pivotally attached thereto. The support assembly includes a base member and a plurality of attached side wall members for retaining items positioned on the base member. Each of the handles pivots between fully extended and fully retracted positions as needed, and the handles include end portions which elevate the support assembly above a support surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A combination storage and carrying device for transporting and storing a quantity of firewood and the like, and comprising: a substantially flat base portion having first and second pairs of spaced apertures extending therethrough;   a first handle member positioned on an upwardly facing side of said base portion and having a pair of separate leg sections extending through and beyond said first pair of apertures to a downwardly facing side of said base portion, and a second handle member also positioned on said upwardly facing side of said base portion and having a pair of separate leg sections extending through and beyond said second pair of apertures;   each leg section extending through and beyond one of said apertures including first and second portions having longitudinal axes forming an acute angle, and a third, smoothly curved portion joining said first and second portions to one another, whereby the first portions of a pair of leg sections forming a handle member rest against the upwardly facing side of said base portion and the second portions contact a storage support surface to elevate said base portion above said storage support surface when said respective handle member assumes a fully reclined position, whereby the third portions of each pair of leg sections forming a handle member contact the storage support surface and the second portions each contact a downwardly facing side of said base portion to elevate said base portion above said support surface when said respective handle member assumes a fully open position;   side wall means extending from predetermined locations on the upwardly facing side of said base portion for resisting pivotal movement of said first and second handle members away from said upwardly facing side of said base portion beyond a predetermined location corresponding to their fully open positions.   
     
     
       2. A device according to claim 1, including an elongated flexible strap member having a pair of hook-shaped end portions releasably engaging said handle members. 
     
     
       3. A storage and carrying device according to claim 1, wherein said side wall means comprises an integral extension of said base portion extending substantially perpendicular to the remaining, substantially flat upwardly facing surface of said base portion. 
     
     
       4. A storage and carrying device according to claim 3, wherein said side wall means further comprises four separate side wall members positioned end to end and forming a substantially rectangular configuration, with separate connecting flanges extending between and joining each pair of adjacently disposed side wall members to form a unitary frame surrounding said base portion. 
     
     
       5. A storage and carrying device according to claim 1, wherein said side wall means comprises a first pair of side wall members each forming an integral extension of said base portion extending substantially perpendicular to the upwardly facing side of said base portion; said side wall means further comprising a second pair of substantially L-shaped side wall members, each having a first portion overlapping and fixedly attached to said base portion and a second portion extending perpendicular to said first portion.   
     
     
       6. A storage and carrying device according to claim 5, wherein a separate pair of apertures extends through the first portion of each L-shaped side wall member, with each pair of apertures aligned with one of said first and second pairs of apertures extending through said base portion to allow for insertion of one of said first and second handle members therethrough. 
     
     
       7. A storage and carrying device according to claim 5, wherein each of said L-shaped side wall members including a pair of flanges extending from opposite end portions thereof, with each flange fixedly engaging one of said first pair of side wall members to form a unitary frame structure surrounding said base portion. 
     
     
       8. A combination storage and carrying device according to claim 1, wherein each handle member includes a substantially U-shaped connecting portion extending between, and integrally joining a pair of said leg sections. 
     
     
       9. A storage and carrying device according to claim 1, wherein each leg section includes a bowed portion positioned adjacent said upwardly facing side of said base portion, with bowed portions of each pair of leg sections extending away from one another to limit insertion of each handle member through said first and second pairs of apertures. 
     
     
       10. A storage and carrying device according to claim 1, wherein said flat base portion has a substantially square configuration and is formed of a resin-based plastic material.